Shopping online can be a great way to save money on fine jewelry and precious stones. Online vendors typically have lower overhead costs than retailers, allowing them to sell fine jewelry at lower prices. Online stores often purchase surplus overstock and sell it at a fraction of the regular cost, which means you can frequently buy jewelry online at 50% less than what you would spend in a department store. However, as with any online purchase, it’s important to be careful when shopping for jewelry online to protect both your purchase and your financial information.

Steps

Method1

Know What Items You Want to Buy

1

Use search tools to find the specific style or type of jewelry you want.

Most online vendors will let you search by type of jewelry, like bracelets and earrings, or by specific metal or stone. Use both options to find what you want.

2

Research your jewelry.

Learn what quality grades are available for the type of jewelry you want to buy before you start browsing. Don’t forget to do some homework on the various quality grades of gold, the quality factors to look for in a diamond or any other quality indicators for fine jewelry and gemstones.

3

Have specifics ready.

Know all necessary sizes before you start shopping. This will help you determine whether a product is available in a size that will fit.

Method2

Research the Jewelry Web Site

1

Find out about the site's return and exchange policy. Some sites only accept returns within a limited amount of time after the date of sale, so it’s important to find out how long you will have to return or exchange your purchase.

2

Look for customer service. Make sure the online jewelry store has customer service representatives available to answer questions or to help you with your order.

3

Ask about warranties. Warranty options are a sign of a reputable jewelry vendor and will be beneficial if you ever need to repair or service an item.

4

Read customer reviews. A jewelry site that has lots of positive customer feedback and return customers is likely to be a reliable source.

5

Determine whether you can get extra discounts. Some jewelry sellers will offer discounts in addition to the discounted price for purchases that exceed a specific amount. These kinds of discounts can be great when purchasing gifts or complete sets.

6

Inquire about service options. Some online sites will offer cleaning and maintenance on fine jewelry, including stone polishing, clasp tightening or ring cleaning, for no extra charge to customers.

Method3

Make Purchases Securely

Choose secure shipping options. Fine jewelry sellers often offer secure shipping that will require a signature upon delivery, protecting your purchase and ensuring that it gets delivered to you safely.

3

Check your bank statement after your purchase to ensure that the transaction was completed for the correct purchase amount.